Baker Mayfield reveals 'luxury' Buccaneers have on offense

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield became the subject of some Most Valuable Player Award conversations regarding the 2025 regular season ahead of Tampa Bay's preseason opener versus the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. 

During a Thursday appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Mayfield offered some high praise for running back and second-year pro Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving. 

"The ability to do truly whatever we want on offense," Mayfield responded when asked how having Irving on the field changes things for Tampa Bay during a game, as shared by the JoeBucsFan website. "We can spread ’em out. We can do a lot of things, whether, you know, in the run game, scheme-wise, we can do it all. It gives us versatility without having to change personnel up that much. It’s a luxury to have."

Tampa Bay grabbed Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (No. 125), and he proved to be one of the better value picks of the player-selection process. Per ESPN stats, he finished his rookie season ranked 10th in the league with 1,122 rushing yards, tied for 15th with eight rushing touchdowns and tied for 19th with 207 carries. 

Additionally, Irving tallied 47 receptions on 52 targets for 392 yards over 17 games.

Per the Buccaneers' website, Mayfield mentioned on multiple occasions while speaking with reporters on Thursday that having Irving as a weapon in the passing attack is a "luxury" for a team that's looking to do more than qualify for the playoffs this season. Mayfield was also asked how Irving has grown from where the 22-year-old was during his first pro training camp. 

"Just confidence," Mayfield said about what he's seen from Irving this summer. "It's not that he wasn't confident last year, but just a little bit more outgoing. Not that he's ever going to be a vocal guy, but just a little bit more outgoing. Guys understand what he's going to get done, and he's extremely confident in the blitz pickup and the things that we really wanted him to progress in. So it's been a fun progression to see."

Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard previously suggested that Irving could follow in the footsteps of Philadelphia Eagles star and reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley. For what it's worth, DraftKings Sportsbook had Irving at +5000 betting odds to claim the Offensive Player of the Year Award for the upcoming season as of Friday morning.